Counselor’s Chronicle
Vale Middle School
Counseling Support!
Northside ISD counselors are available and want to virtually meet with their students from the safety of their homes.
“We know that students may feel uneasy, have questions, or just need a little support at this time of uncertainty,” says Dr. Kimberly Ridgley, Executive Director of Social and Emotional Learning. “Counselors care about the wellbeing of all our students, and we are eager to help. If you need something, say something!”
Fill out the google request form to meet with your counselor. Once the meeting is scheduled, the student will receive a Google Calendar invite and an email showing the date and time to meet with his/her counselor by Google Chat or Google Hangout. Counselors are also available by email. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be sure to check your google email accounts for appointment confirmations.
Food Distribution
Northside ISD continues to work to meet the nutritional needs of students while schools are closed. Grab-and-go breakfasts and hot lunches are available to children 18 years old and younger at 11 middle school sites.
The locations remain the same as last week but the service times and menu items have changed.
Distribution Sites: Hobby, Jones, Luna, Neff, Pease, Rayburn, Ross, Rudder, Stinson, Vale, and Zachry middle schools (Addresses for each middle school can be found on the District’s website.)
Distribution Dates: Monday-Friday
Distribution Times: Breakfast and lunch at 11 a.m. – 1p.m.
Process: Meals will be provided in each school’s bus loop. We prefer children are in the vehicle to ensure that they receive a meal.
Breakfast items include cereal, oatmeal bars, assorted muffins, toaster pastries, fresh fruit, juice, and milk.
Lunch items include pizza cheese sticks, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, burritos, and macaroni & cheese.
Distance Learning is Happening!!
Need a device, internet, or Tech Tips?
Northside ISD has developed a device request process to assist District students who do not have access to electronic devices and/or the internet at home. Parents can now complete the online request form in order to formally request information on when/where to pick up your device(s). If needed, parents can also call 210-397-0040 for any assistance with completing the form.
The Distance Learning Plan is provided for NISD students and families to access instructional materials from home via the MyNISD Portal. Students and staff have access to the portal, by using their student's NISD username and password (S-number/Password)—not the Home Access Center (HAC) password.
Once logged into the MyNISD Portal, look for the "Access Distance Learning" icon. Once you click on the "Access Distance Learning" icon you may need to respond to one or two login verification screens before the list of distance learning items is displayed.
Calming Kids Fears About the Coronavirus
Here is a link to a great article about how to talk to your child about the Coronavirus:
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
Resources
Food Bank-Call for 210-431-8326 assistance
For Securing Basic Needs
Catholic Charities-210-226-6178
Ella Austin Community Center-210-224-2351
City Of San Antonio Family Assistance-210-707-7830/210-207-8198
Salvation Army-210-352-2000
Guadalupe Community Center-210-226-6178
Bexar County Health and Human Services-210-335-6770
From the NISD Guidance and Counseling Department
Did you know?
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLF10lvyg-PyZfi5r-wPkMDloWiFIoqqvoQ3kK36EG8kebCA/viewform
How to Talk with your Child About Suicide After the Death of a Peer
According to Liza Long, a mental health advocate, writer, and educator,it’s natural for parents to worry that talking about suicide with their children could lead to further deaths, an idea known as suicide contagion. But avoiding the subject — and failing to create a safe space where your child can grieve — can actually create more harm. To end teen suicide, adults must step up, be brave, and have hard conversations .
Please go to the link for the full article:
https://info.1in5minds.org/blog/how-to-talk-with-your-child-about-suicide-after-the-death-of-a-peer
Vale Counseling Team
Ms. Davis-A-Gar and Head Counselor 397-5725
Mr. Herrera- Gas-Or, 397-5726
Mrs. Haby- Os-Z , 397-5728